February 09, 2012 08:13 PM CSTFebruary 09, 2012 08:13 PM CSTSefko: How Mavs' Yi Jianlian could become an All-Star starter next season

Sefko: How Mavs' Yi Jianlian could become an All-Star starter next season

Published: 09 February 2012 08:13 PM

Updated: 09 February 2012 08:13 PM

Q: I read your columns and I do have faith in Dirk. I often think that he is so shocked by the ring on his finger he cannot concentrate. I will always be a fan of him and Terry. I think the two of them choked in 2006, but I still love them. My real question that I ponder is that after reading your column I glanced at the all-star voting. I do vote on my favorites. Always it is a Maverick player. Considering the difference in the size of LA versus Dallas and the fan population, is it possible that the number of fans that LA has versus Dallas almost assures Kobe of a place with the guards? I mean I like Kobe also and know that he is great. I cannot put Blake Griffin in a spot ahead of Dirk. I cannot put Pau Gasol ahead of Dirk also. I know that Dirk is not scoring, but drawing a lot of attention. Is there another way the All-Star starters can be picked?

Eddie O.

Sefko: My answer is going to be shorter than the question.

There is no other way. The NBA likes fans to be involved and if Yi Jianlian is on the ballot next year, he’ll probably be a starter because of the international votes he’ll get.

All I can tell you is that, as mentioned above, Dirk couldn’t care less.

* * *

Q: What has happened to Brian Cardinal? Last year, he was a minor but important player for the Mavs, especially in the playoffs. His hustle and defense were recognized and appreciated. This year, he hardly gets off the bench even in blow outs.

Tom A.

Sefko: Got a chance to talk to Cardinal this week, and he’s just doing what Cardinals do. He’s staying in shape, getting in his extra running after practices and shootarounds and making sure that he’s ready to be a positive influence when he gets back on the court.

And that’s when, not if.

Remember, last year Cardinal only played in 56 of 82 games in the regular season and only nine of 21 in the playoffs.

He’s going to get his chances. They just don’t come on a regular basis and are impossible to predict when they are on the way.

Rest assured, coach Rick Carlisle has not forgotten about Cardinal, who in some of the early games this year when he played had the best plus-minus of anybody on the team.

* * *

Q: Carlisle is an excellent coach. But he can be extremely condescending and rude to the media and fans. I wish he would stop insulting our intelligence, like when he kicked the ball into the stands. His explanation was an insult.

Craig J.

Sefko: As a card-carrying media member, I didn’t find anything in that episode to be insulting, except maybe that the ball hit the little kid on the head and left the “Spalding’’ imprint.

OK, that’s a joke. We always try to lighten things up when a tense question like this comes up.

I’ll admit Carlisle can seem a little gruff sometimes with his no-nonsense answers and his impatience with silly questions. But I actually give him credit for handling it in his own way. All I really want out of the coach of any team is that he be able to coach his tail off and get the most out of his team.

Carlisle gets high marks in both areas.

If he wants to poke a little fun or look down sometimes at the media, hey, we probably deserve it sometimes.

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